Review: Tony Christie at Pocklington Arts Centre Tues 21st June 2011
Many a good tune...Tony Christie at Pocklington Arts Centre Tue 21st June 2011
Yet another coup for the ever welcoming Pocklington Arts Centre . Was this to be a Phoenix Night ? Far from it. The immaculate Christie took to the stage and we knew this was something special. With a 10 piece line-up no corners were cut –proof that profits bowed to quality.
His band were outstanding capturing the warmth and classic sound more befitting Vegas than Pock. Opening with “Avenues & Alleyways” Christie danced through anthems and songs from “Made in Sheffield” and “Now’s the time” – a powerful album more than tipping its hat to Motown & Stax .
His experience and quality showed in his effortless engagement with the crowd.
He had the audience hanging on every line of Human League’s “Louise”
Amarillo stood out like a piece of bubble gum surrounded by Swiss chocolates but he would not have got out alive if it had not made the set list.
Peter Kay rang him to raise a fortune for comic relief and his profile– but Richard Hawley , Alex Turner and Jarvis Cocker do not ask you to sing their songs to be post modern, ironic or to weigh favour with their mothers – they do because Christie is a class act with a rich voice.
In a time where far more edgy icons from the 70’s are now advertising car insurance and butter Christie is still at the top of his game – never has anyone fitted the saying that “many a good tune can be played on an old fiddle” .
His band were outstanding capturing the warmth and classic sound more befitting Vegas than Pock. Opening with “Avenues & Alleyways” Christie danced through anthems and songs from “Made in Sheffield” and “Now’s the time” – a powerful album more than tipping its hat to Motown & Stax .
His experience and quality showed in his effortless engagement with the crowd.
He had the audience hanging on every line of Human League’s “Louise”
Amarillo stood out like a piece of bubble gum surrounded by Swiss chocolates but he would not have got out alive if it had not made the set list.
Peter Kay rang him to raise a fortune for comic relief and his profile– but Richard Hawley , Alex Turner and Jarvis Cocker do not ask you to sing their songs to be post modern, ironic or to weigh favour with their mothers – they do because Christie is a class act with a rich voice.
In a time where far more edgy icons from the 70’s are now advertising car insurance and butter Christie is still at the top of his game – never has anyone fitted the saying that “many a good tune can be played on an old fiddle” .
Christie is so much more than a geographical enquiry....
Review by Ian Donaghy
Review by Ian Donaghy
